Date of Creation
5-13-2024
Document Type
Departmental Honors Thesis
Department
English
First Advisor
Xu Xi
Abstract
Inspired by life as an Asian American in New York City, ABC and Other Stories explores family dynamics and perspectives, public perceptions, and emotions throughout twenty-six stories, one for every letter of the alphabet. Real memories and fantastical elements intertwine throughout the collection, all falling under the theme of “ABC,” representing both the English language and “American Born Chinese.” Many of the narrators, left nameless and genderless, recount their stories of growing up in an immigrant household. One recalls the last time their parents physically punished them. Another thinks of being unsettled by a stranger on the subway. Other narrators reveal more mundane memories of everyday life, like pouring salt on the slugs in the backyard or buying a treat from the ice cream truck. The titular piece, “ABC,” remains in the thoughts of a narrator who struggles with their language and cultural identity. The fantastical stories follow narrators who grow flowers on their skin, or who wish for immortality, or who find themselves stuck in purgatory. ABC and Other Stories captures Chinese Americans in their daily lives and in their wildest dreams.
Recommended Citation
Peng, Ethan, "ABCs: American Born Chinese Stories" (2024). English Honors Theses. 16.
https://crossworks.holycross.edu/engl_honor/16
Included in
Asian American Studies Commons, Creative Writing Commons, English Language and Literature Commons
Comments
Reader: Nadine Knight